This article discusses substance abuse. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, you can call the Wisconsin Addiction Recovery Helpline at 211 for free, confidential, 24/7 support.
FOND DU LAC, Wis. — New overdose aid kits (OAKs) have been installed in Fond du Lac County.
Fond du Lac County already has OAKs installed at the Gratitude Club and Lighthouse Christian Church.
Now, the following locations will have them, too:
- ADVOCAP, 19 W. 1st Street, Fond du Lac
- Beacon House, 166 S. Park Avenue, Fond du Lac
- Brother Town Nation, 311 Winnebago Drive, Fond du Lac
- Critter Junction, 154 Satterlee Street, Fond du Lac
- Holy Family Warming Shelter, 73 E. 1st Street, Fond du Lac
- Hope Lutheran Church, 260 Vincent Street, Fond du Lac
- Rainbow Bridge, 212 N. Main Street, Fond du Lac
- Sippel Funeral Home, 1311 Thorp Street, St. Cloud
Kits are available now.
OAKs include naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, which is a medication that can reverse an overdose. The kits also include educational materials on how to prevent and respond to an overdose, in case of an emergency.
“Opioid overdoses can happen at any time and having Narcan on hand can save a life. The Narcan in the OAKs is available for anyone to take, no questions asked, to use in an emergency,” Jessica Geschke said. Geschke is a senior project manager at the Clinton Foundation — a nonprofit that helped install the OAKs in Fond du Lac — and creator of the OAKs.
ADVOCAP, Holy Family Warming Shelter, Fond du Lac County Health Department and local parents who have been impacted by overdose all worked with the nonprofit to get more OAKs installed in the area. All have the same goal: Combatting the opioid crisis and saving lives.
“Making OAKs available at ADVOCAP reflects our commitment to creating a safe, non-judgmental space where people can get the help they need,” ADVOCAP Executive Director Tanya Marcoe said. “Everyone deserves compassion and support, especially in times of crisis. This is one way we hope we can make a difference in the fight against fentanyl.”
“We are grateful for the Fond du Lac County Health Department’s leadership as we seek to combat the opioid crisis. While we know that overdoses are found across backgrounds and demographics, statistics show that about one-third of those experiencing homelessness also suffer from issues with substance abuse. Having access to Narcan and educational materials with the OAK will help us to better care for and educate our guests at the Holy Family Warming Shelter if the need should ever arise,” Holy Family Catholic Community Director of Human Concerns Erin Cobb said.
Those who want to learn how to use Narcan nasal spray can receive Narcan and free training through the Fond du Lac County Health Department. Find more information, here, or by calling 920-929-3085.
Organizations that would like to have an OAK on site can contact the Clinton Foundation for more information at 920-382-6834 or at jgeschke@clintonfoundation.org.
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